I just picked up an 89 lebaron turbo convertible. P.O. did a lot of work to the car, and it looks pretty good. he also put on a new top. What should i do to protect/maintain the top?

 

As qouted by KevinSS in a previous post:

(this is what the company recommends for a Camaro top)

http://www.haartz.com makes all the fabric for the late model F bodies

Here is the cleaning procedure:
Although the fabric does not promote mildew growth by itself, mildew may develop on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed. This is especially true in warm, humid, dark environments. A program of keeping the fabric clean through regular washings, BEFORE it gets dirty, will enhance the life and beauty of the acrylic and make successive cleaning easier.Most automatic car washes will not harm cloth top fabrics. Washes with water jets and hanging cloths provide a more gentle cleaning action. Those using heavy barrel brushes could damage the top material. Haartz recommends hand washing. The Haartz Corporation recommends using RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner and RAGGTOPP™ Protectant Hand washing in shade or partial shade, not direct sunlight, is best. DO NOT USE DETERGENT. Bird and tree droppings, as well as other loose particle soils, should be
removed immediately. Vacuum with a brush attachment and rinse thoroughly with water to remove loose particle soils. This will also prevent the soils from being redeposited during the cleaning process. Once the fabric has been rinsed thoroughly, spray
RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner evenly over the entire surface while still wet. Allow the cleaner to soak for 10 to 20 minutes and then scrub lightly with a soft nylon brush or terry cloth rag. Rinse thoroughly, preferably until no remaining soap foam is observed. Additional cleanings may be required. It is best to determine the need for additional cleanings after the fabric has dried completely.
For more stubborn cases, mix a solution of no more than 1/2 cup (4oz.) bleach and 1/4 cup (2oz.) RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner per gallon of water, soak for approximately 20 minutes and scrub lightly as indicated above. (Excessive soaking with the bleach solution
can deteriorate seam threads.) Rinse thoroughly to prevent streaking on painted and chrome surfaces. Several cleanings may be necessary. Once dry, cleaning must be followed by re-water repelling with RAGGTOPP™ Protectant. (This product does not contain CFC's and therefore, is not harmful to the environment.) Failure to apply will result in rapid resoiling of the unprotected fabric.

 

Great info, thanks Marky!
Are the raggtopp products available in stores, or are they mail order only, like zaino?

 

I am a Raggtopp distributor, I stock the cleaner and conditioner.
Not sold in stores.

 

kevin,
Can you give me a link to order from you?
since my top is new, do i need the cleaner? is the cleaner for deep cleaning dirty tops, or for general mtse. cleaning?
I just finished putting 3 coats of Z-2/ZFX on it, and even though it is white, it still made a huge difference. Of course, i dawned and clayed it first.)(the car, not the top)

thanks
dave

 

If you want the top to live very long you should treat it with the fabric protector. I assume the tap is a rag and not a vinyl top. Raggtopp is of course for a cloth top.